Question : Protection of Birds

(a) whether deaths of birds have been registered in various birds sanctuaries and habitats of migratory birds in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, sanctuary/habitat and State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the death of birds and vanishing of bird species in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has any proposal to formulate a special plan with the cooperation of local agencies and departments for the protection of the birds and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the other steps taken by the Government for the safety and security of bird sanctuaries?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) and (b) The management of Sanctuaries and National Parks, including bird Sanctuaries is responsibility of the concerned State/UT Governments. Details of deaths of birds in various bird Sanctuaries are not compiled at the level of Central Government. However, there had been reports of killing of Amur Falcons in years before 2014 in Doyang reservoir area of Nagaland, where the birds visit every year on their migration from Mongolia to Southern Africa.

(c) Wildlife Institute has undertaken a project wherein the migratory Amur Falcons visiting India have been satellite tagged and their migratory path from India to Southern Africa have been assessed.

(d) The Forest Department of Nagaland has undertaken community based wildlife protection for the conservation of migratory Amur Falcons in the region. During the year 2015-16, the Ministry has sanctioned an amount of Rs.110.65 lakhs (50:50 sharing basis) under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (component- Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas) for the protection of Amur Falcons in Nagaland.

(e) The important steps taken by the Government for protection of bird sanctuaries include:

i. Stringent punishments have been provided in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for violation of provisions of the Act.

ii. Rare and endangered species of birds including migratory birds are included in Schedule-I –IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 thereby according them highest degree of protection against illegal hunting and trafficking.

iii. Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State/UT Governments for protection and management of Protected Areas.

iv. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade in wildlife and its parts and products.

v. India is a contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands) and 25 wetlands, including bird sanctuaries, in India have been notified as Ramsar Sites.

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